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Hike the Stairway to Heaven on the Haiku Stairs Trail in Oahu

Published by Aaron JacksonCrabb

Country: United States

The Experience

Gripping the wooden railing as you lift your foot onto the first step of the steep Haiku Stairs hiking trail, on the Hawaiian island of Oahu, means you have just completed step number one of the 3,921 steps to the summit. The Haiku Stairs hiking trail, also known as Stairway to Heaven, began as a wooden ladder spiked into the cliff of the south side of the Haiku Valley, and was initially used to run antenna cables to the top to set up a communication link for the Naval Radio Station during the war.

As you climb the steep steps, tall grass billows above you off the side of this tropical cliff face, and the clouds cling tightly to the edge. A crisp breeze clips past you as the clouds above slowly disperse, leaving you with a clear view of Oahu below and what lay ahead.

Back in 1943, the original all-wooden ladder of the Haiku Stairs was built for construction workers to reach the peak where they were stretching cables across the valley to connect Wahiawā and Haiku Valley Naval Radio Stations. By the 1950s, the US Navy took command over the hill, using it to send signals to submarines as far away as Tokyo Bay. In the late 1960s, the US Coast Guard took over using the building at the top for an Omega Navigation System station. By 1980, no government organization was involved in manning the station, and the City and County of Honolulu took over.

From this vantage point, the city should be off to your left as you look back down the section you have just climbed up. The only sounds in the air are the humming of crickets. The higher you go the warmer it becomes on this tropical trail, and a light drizzle rewards you for a job well done, cooling you off as you observe the graceful contours of the Haiku valley below.

Eventually, you pull yourself up over the final step, reaching the top in a damp sweat, but the cool breeze still sits too close to your face to remove a layer of clothing. You can now spot the radio signal building.

Photos

Map

Puzzle

When to Go to Haiku Stairs

You can enjoy Oahu and the Stairway to Heaven at any time during the year because of its temperate/tropical region in the Pacific Ocean. The average low temperature on Oahu Island is 65°F / 18.3°C, and its average high temperature is 89°F / 31.7°C.

The Haiku Stairs hiking trail takes approximately two hours to reach the summit. It is highly recommended to bring gloves for the climb (to avoid blisters) and a windbreaker. Wear hiking boots or cross-trainer shoes.

It is wise to plan ahead by letting someone know where you will be hiking and when you plan on returning. It is also wise to bring water, food and a first aid kit. Don’t forget your camera!

Odds n' Ends

The peak elevation of the Haiku Stairs hiking trail is 2,800 feet (850 m), where a radio tower was once situated. The antennae transmitted very low frequency radio signals for the US Navy submarine corps using 200,000-watt Alexanderson alternators located in the centre of Haiku valley. During testing, the radio signals were heard on Long Island as well as in India 6,600 miles (10,600 km) away. The reason behind this was to gain the ability to keep submarines underwater as far away as Tokyo Bay, and still have active communication.

Despite being closed to the public 1987, hikers largely ignore the No Trespassing signs and continue to climb the Haiku Stairs.

Places to Eat

Dukes Waikiki
Anna Millers

More Experiences Nearby

Remember a Loved One at the Lantern Floating Hawaii Festival
During the Lantern Floating Hawaii Festival at Honolulu’s Ala Moana Beach Park, thousands of small, floating luminaries cover the bay, heading out to sea with fond messages and remembrances for loved ones who have passed. An estimated 40,000 people are in attendance, residents and visitors alike, to honour their loved ones, as well as others who have passed as a result of troubles though war, disease, and famine, among other things. The Lantern Floating Hawaii Festival first took place on Memorial Day in 1999 at the Keehi Lagoon. It was held there annually for three years before making the move ...8 miles away.

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Books and DVDs

Hawaii Regional Travel Guide
Classic Hikes of the World: 23 Breathtaking Treks
The Little Black Book of Maui & Kaua'i Kindle Edition

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